Chicago considers banning sales of synthetic marijuana

A state law prohibiting the sale of one form of chemically derived pot took effect Jan. 1, but manufacturers have created new forms that skirt the law, City Council sponsors said Monday.

The Finance Committee recommended approval of the city ban after aldermen heard from Aurora's Karen Dobner, whose 19-year-old son, Max, died in June after smoking synthetic marijuana and crashing his car into a house while driving 100 mph.

"When they went to the mall, he had a conversation with his friend, and they had decided that since it's legal, it must be safe," Dobner said. "And that is what has spurred my battle to make sure that this stuff gets pulled off the shelves. Because every day I hear from people that have horrific experiences, and they come out of it and say, 'I thought it was safe.' Well, it's not."

Under the proposed Chicago ordinance, any product designed to mimic the effects of marijuana could not be legally sold. Sellers would face fines up to $1,000 per offense and possible revocation of their business license.

If the full council votes Wednesday to enact the ordinance, Chicago will join Aurora and other far west suburbs that have banned synthetic marijuana. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has convened a summit on the issue.

Edward Burke, 14th, Matthew O'Shea, 19th, and two other aldermen proposed the ordinance.

"This is a threat to the children in our communities," O'Shea said.

Burke added: "The products are often labeled as potpourri, herbs, incense or spice, but in reality are intended to be smoked to produce a high in the user similar to the effects that are created by smoking marijuana."

Burke also said he hoped the proposed ordinance would raise awareness.

"Just since this has received some attention, when Ald. O'Shea and I introduced it, I've actually been getting telephone calls from people, and it's not just kids that are doing this," Burke said. "Adults are getting addicted to the stuff. Families are getting broken up. People are losing their jobs over it. It's amazing. I don't think that the mainstream public understands the kind of potential this has for tragedy."